The Department of Human Services (DHS) has reported that an interim review of the Inclusive SA: State Disability Inclusion Plan 2019–2023 has been conducted in preparation for the plan beyond 2023.
The Department said that while the plan outlined a set of actions for improving access and inclusion for the one in five South Australians living with disability, the interim review looked at improvements needed to address the social, political and environmental changes affecting South Australians beyond 2023 better.
It said the review enables realignment of the plan with Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021–2031 (ADS); responds to the health and wellbeing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic; and improves existing actions to reflect community needs better.
“The review has identified improvements to Inclusive SA actions in the areas of safety, rights and justice, and health and wellbeing,” the Department said.
“There are now 34 Inclusive SA actions for State Government agencies and local councils to deliver through their individual Disability Access and Inclusion Plans (DAIPs) and consider in their reviews,” it said.
It said the improvements were set out in the review’s website.
According to the Minister for Human Services, Nat Cook, the COVID-19 pandemic saw incomparable challenges for the community including how it adapted to and managed the challenges required for a collective effort to continue the commitment to deliver economic and social benefits of a more inclusive State.
“During the development of Inclusive SA, we acknowledged that it was to be a living document that would respond to shifting priorities and new information as governments across Australia worked together to design the new national disability strategy for 2020 and beyond,” Ms Cook said.
“With the launch of Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021–2031 (ADS), we now have an opportunity to look ahead at what improvements Inclusive SA needs to better reflect the social, political and environmental changes in South Australia that affect South Australians living with disability,” she said.
Details of the interim review can be accessed at this PS News link.
